Ospedaletti, from San Lorenzo al Mare

Introduction

You exit the A10 motorway at Imperia Ovest, go down towards the coast and turn right for San Lorenzo al Mare (about 275 km A/R by car; motorway toll total: €28.20: expensive!). Car parks in the centre are metered, but if you turn right before entering the village (via Pietrabruna), a little further on there are free ones.

Description

The beautiful beach of San Lorenzo al Mare immediately stands out. The cycle and walking path runs for 24 km on the old railway line that served western Liguria from 1872 to 2001. Shortly, you reach a tunnel, 1.5 km long, to the left the promenade continues, but it must be said that it then goes onto the Aurelia and so it is best to continue on the track. The route follows the coastline between the sea, rocks, coves and bushes. There are two lanes for bicycles, one in each direction, and, on the sea side, there is the path reserved for pedestrians. It is a pity, however, that almost all the explanatory signs have been misplaced, namely on the right, on the section reserved for two-wheelers... The first section opened was the one from San Lorenzo. Then the others, which now run through... Santo Stefano, Riva Ligure, Arma di Taggia, Bussana, Sanremo and Ospedaletti. Perhaps it is possible to rent bikes at one point and leave them at another, but the question was not pursued further... From time to time, one notices SOS columns on the side of the road. After 2h00', at Riva Ligure we take a short lunch break.
From the old station at Arma di Taggia, there is an underground car park under construction and a temporary slip road. You can also see Bussana Vecchia, damaged in the 1887 earthquake and then abandoned; it was re-inhabited in the 1950s by an international community of artists. (Photos of the village at http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/BorghiPonLig012.pdf   other excursion in the area: http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/BorghiPonLig013.pdf ). Along the way, there are a few rental points and refreshments to allow for all levels of enjoyment. It should be noted that having moved the railway line inland, however, has meant the elimination of several intermediate stops in the various villages and now the train only goes to the main towns (Imperia, Arma, Sanremo). This brings inconvenience to the inhabitants of the various villages who have to use road transport for small journeys... Once in Sanremo, we pass Villa Nobel, inhabited by the Swedish inventor and chemist at the end of the 19th century and reopened for visits after restoration in 2002. The tunnel before Ospedaletti, long and dedicated to the Milano Sanremo with various inscriptions, is the last section opened to the public in 2014 x the 105th edition of the race. In December 2016, the coastal railway line from San Lorenzo al Mare to Andora was decommissioned, so perhaps it will be extended to this town in the future.
The return journey by bus (bike transport is NOT possible) to Sanremo, with trips every 15' (XX.12 ect.), where you change to San Lorenzo al Mare (Line x Andora); there is only one bus every 30' and it is therefore very full  (XX.15 ect.). The return journey takes a total of 1h10  (90' ticket for 1.5 E. costs 2.5 E. if taken on board).
All in all: beautiful day, almost decent temperatures for the period, acceptable crowding (even if it is during the week it is still during the Christmas holiday period), no descent  Dif. E (for the length)   - over 24 km  for a little over 6h Tot. with  breaks

Photos  trip
http://cralgalliera.altervista.org/EstremoPonenteLigure017.pdf
http://cralgalliera.altervista.org/altre2017.htm
NB: in the case of a trip, always check with FIE, Cai, any park authorities or other institutions, pro loco, etc., that there have been no changes that have increased the difficulties! No liability is accepted. This text is purely indicative and not exhaustive.

Info Sezione Escursionismo Cral Galliera:  http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/esc.htm
Trips 2017 at the link:  http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/gite2017.pdf

A similar route was walked in 2015 between Levanto and Framura; photos and individual shots at the link  http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/anno2015.htm

Article  on inland villages in the far west: http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/33.pdf

General information

Trail signposts: unmarked path
Type of route: crossing
Recommended period: always, with the exception of the hottest days and those that can be expected to be very crowded
Exposure to the sun:
Objective Hazards:
Exposed Trails:
Useful Equipment:
Water:

Informazioni generali

Segnavia: sentiero non marcato
Tipologia percorso: attraversata
Periodo consigliato: sempre, escluse le giornate più calde e quelle che possono prevedere un grande affollamento
Esposizione al sole:
Pericolo Oggettivo:
Tratti esposti:
Attrezzatura utile:
Acqua: